More than half of rental applicants feel pressured to offer above the asking price to secure a home.

The Real Property Report 2025 shows that finding a rental property is still a stressful experience, with many going above and beyond to try and snare somewhere to live. The report says 57% feel they have to offer a higher rent with some paying up to $124 more per week, which equates to more than $6,000 a year. 

Two-thirds of renters say they have gone to “extreme” lengths to secure rentals, with 26% applying for multiple properties at the same time, 20% paying an extra week or two of rent and 14% paying rent months in advance. Once they secure a home, 13% of renters admit to actively lying about not having a pet so they can stay in the property.

According to SQM Research, the national vacancy rate fell to 1% in January, with the tightest markets in smaller capital cities: Brisbane (0.8%), Perth (0.4%) and Adelaide (0.5%).
It says nationally rents are up by 1.6% in January while CoreLogic says in the 12 months to February, rents rose by 4.1%.